KCC recommending additional consumer protections

The Kansas Corporation Commission voted this morning to adopt a staff report recommending that additional consumer protections are necessary to ensure that the state’s telecommunication customers have continued access to services.

The FCC has jurisdiction over landline services offered by 36 telecommunications companies in the state. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates all other carriers including wireless services, broadband, internet, VoIP, and television programming services. Currently, 750 carriers nationwide, including a large number of Kansas companies, have pledged to suspend disconnections through June 30 as part of the FCC’s Keep Americans Connected program. (Click here for a list of participating carriers)

Today’s Commission vote authorizes a letter to the FCC asking that non-jurisdictional carriers offer continued consumer protections to ensure Kansas customers have access to reasonable payment plans to maintain their service after the pledge ends on June 30.

In its report, Commission staff noted companies under the KCC’s jurisdiction appear willing to work with customers on a case-by-case basis to establish payment plans. The Commission and its staff will continue to monitor the situation to determine if additional protections are needed.